Nut Intolerance
The official botanical definition of a nut is actually quite strict; a nut must
have a woody or stony outer wall, and the seed inside is loose or partially fused
with the shell. However, in cooking and nutrition the term “nut” is much more
widely used, encompassing legumes (pea family) like peanuts, drupes such as almonds
and walnuts, and seeds like pine nuts. The overall definition of nut appears to
encompass any sort of oily kernel, whether or not the kernel is a true nut.
Almonds, pistachios, coconuts, hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts, pine nuts, chestnuts,
Brazil nuts, cashews and macadamia nuts are all considered edible nuts, whether
or not they are true nuts. All of these foods share the characteristics of having
rich, oily flesh which can be pressed for oil or eaten directly. Some of these
nuts need to go through multiple steps of processing before they are able to be
eaten. Many different processed foods contain nuts or nut extracts.
Immediate and severe allergies to edible nuts are quite common. Since “nut” in
culinary terms is a broad word, it is possible for someone to be allergic to some
nuts, but not to others. A peanut allergy, for example, is usually restricted
just to peanuts while an allergy to tree nuts like walnuts may suggest that someone
is allergic to a range of drupes including almonds and beechnuts. Since the terms
of a nut allergy can get confusing, most people who know that they are allergic
to nuts avoid edible nuts altogether, since they do not want to risk serious allergic
reactions.
Delayed and less severe food reactions (food intolerances) to nuts are also common.
For those known to be suffering from food intolerance to nuts there are many alternatives
that can be eaten. It is really important to have a test to see which nuts and
/ or other food types are contributing to your ill health symptoms and to determine
which alternatives are suitable before any dietary changes are made.
Do you think you may suffer from food intolerance?
Taking a First Step Food Intolerance Test enables you to eliminate uncertainty
and confirm whether you have food intolerance through a ‘positive’ or ‘negative’
test result. This way you can check if you have a food intolerance before taking
the Second Step FoodScan 113 which is the comprehensive service that identifies
the specific foods you are intolerant to.
Need further information?
Please call our food intolerance specialists on 0800 074 6185 who will be happy
to provide you with free, confidential expert advice and guidance on the First
Step food intolerance test. Alternatively click here for further information or buy now at a reduced special offer price of £9.99 (usually £19.99).
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